Clients can expect their first session with me to feel welcoming, supportive, and centered around getting to know them at their own pace. I understand that starting therapy can feel uncomfortable or nerve-wracking, especially for children and teens, so my goal is to create a space where they feel emotionally safe, heard, and accepted without judgment.
During the first session, we’ll spend time talking about what brings them to therapy, any challenges they’ve been experiencing, and what they hope to get out of counseling. For younger children, this may happen through conversation, play, drawing, games, or other age-appropriate activities that help them feel comfortable expressing themselves naturally.
I also take time to learn about each client’s strengths, interests, personality, relationships, and support system—not just the struggles they’re facing. I believe therapy works best when clients feel genuinely understood as a whole person.
For parents or caregivers, the first session may also include discussing concerns at home, school, emotions, behaviors, or past experiences, while working collaboratively to support the child or teen in a healthy and compassionate way.
Clients can expect me to approach sessions with patience, warmth, empathy, and flexibility. Whether someone is navigating anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, emotional overwhelm, behavioral challenges, or difficult life experiences, my focus is on helping them feel safe enough to build trust, develop coping skills, process emotions, and recognize their own strengths over time.
For LGBTQ+ youth and survivors of sexual trauma, I strive to provide an affirming, trauma-informed environment where clients feel respected, empowered, and never pressured to share more than they are ready for.
